That’s how I’ve got to get back into blogging, I think! The backlog of interesting projects has grown considerably. Let’s start with this one.

Around June, I decided to make myself a 6th-century outfit along the lines of this or this. In fact, I relied heavily on those two interpretations, since I wasn’t able to locate many of the sources I wanted. (I did find the Crocker book.) The result is, I hope, a “generic” early Kentish or Frankish look. While not something I would subject to academic scrutiny, the finished product is warm, comfortable, and lots of fun to wear.

I purchased ten beautiful lampworked beads from Heart of Oak Crafts. I was familiar with the Etsy shop, so I made a special note when I found out that a seller at Pennsic would be carrying her wares. I spaced the glass beads out with some cheap bone beads.

Here’s me looking ridiculous in the underneath layers. Here you can see the veil and fillet properly worn.

The fillet. While it is shown around the neck of my dress form, it’s supposed to go around your forehead. (My dress form has no forehead.)

I also solicited opinions about cut and style from very patient friends and family, who were subjected to numerous variations on the following:

By the time we’d decided to go to Pennsic, I had produced a reasonable approximation of my idea.

Further notes on the construction:

Jacket

All wool and completely hand-sewn, this was the most time-consuming part of the outfit. The cuffs are finished with tablet weaving as per this tutorial. I was hesitating over the neckline until a kindly friend gave me some beautiful finger-woven trim that just happened to be a perfect match. I stayed up late the night before Pennsic sewing the trim to the jacket… so naturally, I left the whole damn thing behind.

Fillet and veil

I wove the fillet using red 60/2 silk for the background and two strands of gold-wrapped Japanese embroidery thread for the brocade pattern. It’s not what they would have used in period, but it’s what I had!

Brooches

I bought four bronze brooches from Raymond’s Quiet Press. They are nice, sturdy things, and the price is excellent. (Some day I’d like a set of these bow brooches, but you have to draw the line somewhere.)

Ring pouch

At almost the last minute, I threw together (by which I mean painstakingly handsewed) a ring pouch to go along with the ensemble. It is essential for schlepping around highly authentic accessories such as my smartphone.

Speaking of Pennsic shopping, I picked up a few other goodies. Here’s one of my favorites:

The whorl is from Egill’s Woodstuffs, and I whittled the shaft out of a dowel. After a bit of testing and tweaking, this has actually become one of my favorite spindles to use.

Well, it’s a start. I have many more photos to share with you!